US7131437B2 - Ignition device for internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Ignition device for internal combustion engine Download PDF

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Publication number
US7131437B2
US7131437B2 US11/118,327 US11832705A US7131437B2 US 7131437 B2 US7131437 B2 US 7131437B2 US 11832705 A US11832705 A US 11832705A US 7131437 B2 US7131437 B2 US 7131437B2
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Prior art keywords
ignition device
current
fail
gate
circuit
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US11/118,327
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US20050252496A1 (en
Inventor
Koji Ando
Haruo Kawakita
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Denso Corp
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Denso Corp
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Assigned to DENSO CORPORATION reassignment DENSO CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ANDO, KOJI, KAWAKITA, KARUO
Assigned to DENSO CORPORATION reassignment DENSO CORPORATION RECORD TO CORRECT THE SPELLING OF THE SECOND INVENTOR'S FIRST NAME. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL 016523 FRAME 0560. Assignors: ANDO, KOJI, KAWAKITA, HARUO
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02P—IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
    • F02P3/00—Other installations
    • F02P3/02—Other installations having inductive energy storage, e.g. arrangements of induction coils
    • F02P3/04—Layout of circuits
    • F02P3/055—Layout of circuits with protective means to prevent damage to the circuit, e.g. semiconductor devices or the ignition coil
    • F02P3/0552—Opening or closing the primary coil circuit with semiconductor devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an ignition device for an internal combustion engine to be mounted on various kinds of vehicles.
  • JP-A-8-135547 or its counterpart U.S. patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,308A discloses an ignition device for an internal combustion engine that has a constant primary current control circuit.
  • the disclosed ignition device has a network composed of a plurality of resistors to detect a potential. The potential is compared with a reference level for a feed-back control to provide a suitable gate voltage to be applied to the gate of a primary current control transistor.
  • the disclosed ignition device is effective to prevent abnormal oscillation of the constant primary current control circuit, it may not provide an accurate fail signal when it fails because the fail signal is formed from the gate voltage, which may sometimes fluctuate when a power source voltage fluctuate or become to low to detect.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an ignition device the input power of which is smaller than the prior art ignition device.
  • an ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes a power transistor that supplies primary current to a primary coil of an ignition coil by supplying gate current to a control gate of the transistor, a current sensing resistor connected in series with the power transistor, a constant current circuit having a gate resistor connected in series to the control gate of the power transistor and a feedback circuit connected between the gate resistor and said current sensing resistor and switching means for connecting the gate resistor and the feedback circuit when the constant current circuit controls the primary current to be constant.
  • the switching means disconnects the gate resistor from the feedback circuit when said constant current circuit does not operate to control the primary current or connect the gate resistor and the feedback circuit when an amount of the primary current reaches a first preset value that is smaller than the constant amount.
  • the switching means disconnects the gate resistor from the feedback circuit when the amount of the primary current does not reach the first preset value. This feature saves electric power loss of the ignition device and prevents temperature rise of the same.
  • the above described ignition device may include fail signaling means connected to the current sensing resistor to provide a fail signal if an amount of the primary current is larger than a second preset value. This feature is effective to provide a more accurate fail signal.
  • the second preset value is smaller than the first preset value.
  • the switching means of this ignition device may stop the fail signaling means from providing the fail signal when the amount of the primary current reaches the first preset value.
  • the fail signaling means may start providing the fail signal when the amount of the primary current reaches a third preset value that is smaller than the first preset value.
  • FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an ignition device for an internal combustion engine according to the first embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a timing diagram of signals of various portions of the ignition device shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of an ignition device for an internal combustion engine according to the second embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of an ignition device for an internal combustion engine according to the third embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of an ignition device for an internal combustion engine according to the fourth embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of an ignition device for an internal combustion engine according to the fifth embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a timing diagram of signals of various portions of the ignition device shown in FIG. 6 ;
  • FIG. 8 is a fragmentary circuit diagram of a portion of the ignition device according to a modification of the fifth embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 An ignition device for an internal combustion engine according to the first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 .
  • reference numeral 1 represents the ignition device according to the first embodiment of the invention
  • reference numeral 2 represents a spark plug, which is connected to an ignition coil 3 .
  • the ignition device 1 includes a primary current controlling transistor (hereinafter referred to as IGBT) 10 , an abnormal oscillation control transistor 11 , a constant current forming comparator 12 , a comparator-driven transistor 13 , a first fail-detecting comparator 14 , a second fail-detecting comparator 15 , a fail-signal logic circuit 16 , a driving circuit 17 , which has an input-protection circuit, threshold level forming circuits 18 – 20 and resistors 21 – 27 .
  • IGBT primary current controlling transistor
  • the fail-signal logic circuit 16 gives a fail signal after it receives the ignition signal from the driving circuit 17 .
  • the fail-signal logic circuit 16 stops the fail signal after it receives the ignition signal from the driving circuit 17 .
  • the comparator 15 turns on the abnormal oscillation control transistor 11 to raise the potential of point A and point B. Since the potential of point B has become much higher than the threshold values of the comparators 14 , 15 , the comparators 14 , 15 will not change their operation.
  • the primary coil current increases further and the potential of point A becomes higher than the threshold value of the constant current forming comparator 12 at time t 4 , it provides the comparator-driven transistor 13 with a high level voltage signal to turn on, so that the potential of point C drops. Thereafter, the comparator 12 carries out a feedback control to adjust the potential of point A to the threshold value provided by a threshold voltage source 20 .
  • the resistors 22 – 26 form a circuit that prevents an abnormal oscillation and cooperates with the comparator 12 and the transistor 13 to provide constant current. Further, the resistors 24 , 25 cooperate with the resistor 26 to detect the amount of the primary current. That is, the potential of point B is almost proportional to the amount of the primary current. While the transistor 11 is turned on, the potential of point A (or the input signal of the comparator 12 ), which is a fraction of the difference between the potential of point C and the potential of point B divided by the resistor 22 and the resistor 23 , increases.
  • the gate current is delayed by a time constant formed by the resistor 21 and a capacitor of the gate of the IGBT 10 to prevent an abnormal oscillation of the IGBT 10 .
  • the signal of the potential of point C which nearly corresponds to the gate voltage of the IGBT 10 , is fed back to the comparator 12 without passing the IGBT 10 . Therefore, the delay of the gate current of the IGBT 10 can be cancelled.
  • the abnormal oscillation control transistor 11 when the amount of the primary current is detected to provide the fail signal, the abnormal oscillation control transistor 11 is turned off to prevent the input signals of the comparators 14 , 15 from being badly affected. After the comparators 14 , 15 have provided the fail signal, the abnormal oscillation control transistor 11 is turned on to prevent the abnormal oscillation of the IGBT 10 .
  • FIG. 3 An ignition device for an internal combustion engine according to the second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 .
  • the same reference numeral represents the same or substantially the same part, portion or component as the first embodiment.
  • the type of the abnormal oscillation control transistor 11 is changed from a npn type to a pnp type.
  • the pnp type transistor 11 is controlled by the fail-signal logic circuit 16 via an inverter circuit 28 .
  • the operation of the ignition device is substantially the same as the ignition device according to the first embodiment.
  • the type of the IGBT 10 is changed to have a current detecting terminal.
  • the resistor 25 of the first embodiment is also omitted, as shown in FIG. 4 .
  • An ignition device for an internal combustion engine according to the fourth embodiment of the invention is constructed of the mixture of the above described changes, as shown in FIG. 5 .
  • the switching of the transistor 11 may be controlled by a timer instead of the output signal of the comparator 15 .
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 An ignition device for an internal combustion engine according to the sixth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 .
  • the comparators 14 , 15 and the fail-signal logic circuit 16 of the above described ignition device are replaced with a transfer switch 30 , a resistor 31 , a temperature sensor 32 , an abnormal temperature detecting circuit and a latch circuit 34 .
  • the temperature sensor 32 is a thermistor element disposed near the IGBT 10 that sends a temperature responsive voltage signal to the abnormal temperature detecting circuit 33 .
  • the temperature sensor 32 may be integrated into the IGBT 10 .
  • the abnormal temperature detecting circuit 33 compares the temperature responsive voltage signal with a preset threshold value provided by a constant voltage circuit (not shown) and sends an output signal to the latch circuit 34 .
  • the latch circuit 34 provides the switch 30 and the transistor 11 with a high level signal if the temperature of the IGBT 10 is lower than a preset temperature or a low level signal if the temperature of the IGBT 10 is higher than the preset temperature, as shown in FIG. 7 .
  • the latch circuit 34 is reset if the driving circuit 17 provides it with a reset signal.
  • the switch 30 is connected between the driving circuit 17 and the resistor 27 , and the resistor 31 is connected between the junction of the switch 30 and the resistor 27 and a ground.
  • the abnormal temperature detecting circuit 33 turns off the switch 30 to stop the current supplied to the gate of the IGBT 10 from the driving circuit 17 .
  • the abnormal temperature detecting circuit 33 also turns off the transistor 11 so that the primary coil current flowing through the IGBT 10 can gradually decrease. Therefore, the secondary coil of the ignition coil 3 is prevented from generating such high voltage that can ignite fuel of an engine, as shown in FIG. 7 .
  • the switch 30 may be replaced with a transistor 30 ′ that turns on to connect the output terminal of the driving circuit 17 to a ground if the temperature of the IGBT 10 becomes abnormally high while turning off driving transistors 170 , 171 of the driving circuit.
  • This circuit prevents current flowing through the resistor 31 while the driving circuit 17 is turning on the IGBT 10 .
  • the above arrangement can be applied to some other cases to turn off the IGBT 10 than the case of abnormal temperature.
  • the abnormal oscillation control transistor 11 is only necessary to turn off to provide constant current. However, the abnormal oscillation control transistor 11 may be turned on before the constant current is provided.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
US11/118,327 2004-05-11 2005-05-02 Ignition device for internal combustion engine Active US7131437B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2004141211 2004-05-11
JP2004-141211 2004-05-11
JP2005-2819 2005-01-07
JP2005002819A JP4411535B2 (ja) 2004-05-11 2005-01-07 内燃機関用点火装置

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US20050252496A1 US20050252496A1 (en) 2005-11-17
US7131437B2 true US7131437B2 (en) 2006-11-07

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JP (1) JP4411535B2 (ja)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080006256A1 (en) * 2006-06-23 2008-01-10 Denco Corporation Output circuit for an on-vehicle electronic device
US20110041803A1 (en) * 2009-08-20 2011-02-24 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Ignition Coil With Ionization And Digital Feedback For An Internal Combustion Engine
US20130152910A1 (en) * 2011-12-15 2013-06-20 Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. Internal combustion engine ignition device
US11131286B2 (en) * 2018-03-20 2021-09-28 Rohm Co., Ltd. Igniter and vehicle provided with the same
US11448178B2 (en) * 2018-03-13 2022-09-20 Rohm Co., Ltd. Switch control circuit and igniter
US20240102438A1 (en) * 2021-06-04 2024-03-28 Rohm Co., Ltd. Igniter and engine ignition device

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2010045141A (ja) * 2008-08-11 2010-02-25 Fuji Electric Systems Co Ltd 半導体装置および内燃機関用点火装置
JP5776216B2 (ja) * 2011-02-21 2015-09-09 富士電機株式会社 電流制御機能および自己遮断機能を備えた半導体装置
JP5765689B2 (ja) * 2012-12-14 2015-08-19 日立オートモティブシステムズ阪神株式会社 内燃機関用点火装置
JP6291929B2 (ja) * 2014-03-14 2018-03-14 富士電機株式会社 半導体装置
JP6354430B2 (ja) * 2014-08-01 2018-07-11 富士電機株式会社 半導体装置
JP6696334B2 (ja) * 2016-07-11 2020-05-20 株式会社デンソー 点火装置
CN107612361B (zh) * 2016-07-12 2021-07-30 富士电机株式会社 半导体装置

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4658788A (en) * 1985-01-21 1987-04-21 Nippondenso Co., Ltd. Ignition system for internal combustion engines
US5113839A (en) * 1989-08-30 1992-05-19 Vogt Electronic Ag Ignition system for an internal combustion engine
US5603308A (en) 1994-11-04 1997-02-18 Nippondenso Co., Ltd. IGBT driving circuit and ignition device
US5967128A (en) * 1997-05-26 1999-10-19 Hitachi, Ltd. & Hitachi Car Engineering Co. Ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine
US6595194B1 (en) * 2000-05-26 2003-07-22 Hitachi, Ltd. Ignition system for internal combustion engine

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4658788A (en) * 1985-01-21 1987-04-21 Nippondenso Co., Ltd. Ignition system for internal combustion engines
US5113839A (en) * 1989-08-30 1992-05-19 Vogt Electronic Ag Ignition system for an internal combustion engine
US5603308A (en) 1994-11-04 1997-02-18 Nippondenso Co., Ltd. IGBT driving circuit and ignition device
US5967128A (en) * 1997-05-26 1999-10-19 Hitachi, Ltd. & Hitachi Car Engineering Co. Ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine
US6595194B1 (en) * 2000-05-26 2003-07-22 Hitachi, Ltd. Ignition system for internal combustion engine

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080006256A1 (en) * 2006-06-23 2008-01-10 Denco Corporation Output circuit for an on-vehicle electronic device
US7530350B2 (en) * 2006-06-23 2009-05-12 Denso Corporation Output circuit for an on-vehicle electronic device
US20110041803A1 (en) * 2009-08-20 2011-02-24 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Ignition Coil With Ionization And Digital Feedback For An Internal Combustion Engine
US8490598B2 (en) * 2009-08-20 2013-07-23 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Ignition coil with ionization and digital feedback for an internal combustion engine
US20130152910A1 (en) * 2011-12-15 2013-06-20 Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. Internal combustion engine ignition device
US9587616B2 (en) * 2011-12-15 2017-03-07 Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. Internal combustion engine ignition device
US11448178B2 (en) * 2018-03-13 2022-09-20 Rohm Co., Ltd. Switch control circuit and igniter
US11131286B2 (en) * 2018-03-20 2021-09-28 Rohm Co., Ltd. Igniter and vehicle provided with the same
US20240102438A1 (en) * 2021-06-04 2024-03-28 Rohm Co., Ltd. Igniter and engine ignition device

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JP2005351263A (ja) 2005-12-22
JP4411535B2 (ja) 2010-02-10
US20050252496A1 (en) 2005-11-17

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